Recorded in various spellings, this surname is of early medieval English origin. It is one of a major group that were gradually created in medieval times from the habitual use of nicknames. These were given with reference to a variety of personal characteristics, including dress and occupation. The derivation, in this instance, is from the Olde English pre 7th century "treowe-mann", meaning trustworthy or faithful man, perhaps given to a herald or messenger who held a position of trust. It was also used as a personal during the Middle Ages, and some instances of the surname may derive from this use. Early examples include Thomas Treweman in the Hundred Rolls of landowners of Worcestershire in 1273, and William Trueman the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1279. In the modern idiom the name is spelt: Trueman, Trewman, Troman, Trowman and Turuman, all forms being most widespread in the Midlands area. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Trewman. This was dated circa 1215 in the cartulary of the Priory of St. Gregory, in the county of Kent, during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland", 1199 - 1216. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

© Copyright: Name Origin Research 1980 - 2024